Binding choices

[improving skier]

So after much deliberation and demoing I bought a pair of phat luvs and think they are going to be the best bet for my mountain use and skill level. However....I need a decent pair of bindings.
Anyone have any suggestions for bindings? Intermediate to advanced ski level. Trying to keep it under $150???
Thanks for the help divas! I'll pray to the snow gods for yall.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I thought most K2's came with integrated binding system. ?? Didn't know they could be purchased "flat." I think Marker is the binding that's tied in to K2 (anyone else, correct me if I'm wrong here). You might want to ask a shop, as sometimes compatibility can be an issue. If Marker, there are innumerable choices - go with one in which you'll be at the midpoint for DIN setting - meaning you likely wouldn't want a racing binding with a DIN that starts high and goes up to 12+.

 

[altagirl]

No, fat skis in general never come with integrated bindings. Honestly, the only reason I'm aware of is that the skiers who buy powder skis are generally experienced enough to be picky about their bindings. I would personally never use a marker binding again (I tore my ACL on markers and then tore a ligament in my thumb on markers when they prereleased for no reason... Maybe it's coincidence, but I'm avoiding them regardless.), and if all K2's came with them, I'd therefore never buy a K2 ski, so it's good they let you decide. Maybe there's some other reason I'm not aware of though. Edit - there's also a strong likelihood that people buying fat skis want touring bindings on them, so you wouldn't want them locked into an integrated system for that either. And people who tour are also usually totally sold on one particular AT binding and don't want to be locked into one or another.

Anyway, Phat Luvs have always been only sold flat.

Any binding will work with them. You need to make sure the brakes are wide enough, but brakes are replaceable. I personally am a fan of Look P12/Rossi Axial 120 bindings. YMMV.

 

[Little Lightning]

Some K2 skis can be bought flat or with systems. I bought Marker bindings for my Lotta Luvs. Ironically, I tore my acl on Marker bindings
but because of the nature of my accident it didn't matter what brand binding I had.

 

[altagirl]

Some K2 skis can be bought flat or with systems. I bought Marker bindings for my Lotta Luvs. Ironically, I tore my acl on Marker bindings
but because of the nature of my accident it didn't matter what brand binding I had.

Yeah, admittedly, most ACL injuries probably wouldn't matter what binding you're on. It doesn't take much force to tear an ACL.

Really, there are just little things you tend to love or hate about certain bindings, and it's probably partly a matter of what you're used to. I like the look/rossi turntable heel design for ease of getting back into your skis after hiking, in deep snow, etc. And they just seem to release when I want them to and not when I don't . They also have more elasticity than other brands - you can occasionally feel the heel start to release but if you recover, they spring back and stay on. I've talked to other people who don't like that feeling or don't feel it's as safe. Nothing is going to be perfect, and they're all safety tested, so realistically you should be find with any new binding.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Didn't know that all fats come w/o bindings, but since I'm an an ice-coaster, I don't see a ton of fats, even in stores. Most of the skis seen in the east are integrated binding-type, with some notable exceptions (Dynastar). I will totally agree with your preference in bindings, however - never liked the Markers (like lead weights), love almost all the Looks, you are right about the ease of entry and "elastic" feel to them.

 

[altagirl]

Didn't know that all fats come w/o bindings, but since I'm an an ice-coaster, I don't see a ton of fats, even in stores. Most of the skis seen in the east are integrated binding-type, with some notable exceptions (Dynastar). I will totally agree with your preference in bindings, however - never liked the Markers (like lead weights), love almost all the Looks, you are right about the ease of entry and "elastic" feel to them.

There may be an exception or two, but nothing I can think of. I know Blizzard is making some skis that have a channel that the Duke AT bindings fit in, but you can still put any other binding on there as well.

I know Atomic used to have those plates on all of their skis that only worked with their bindings unless you removed the plates, but they quit doing that. I know a lot of guys several years ago who wanted Big Daddies but wouldn't use the Atomic bindings and either didn't buy them or pulled the plates off to make it work, and eventually Atomic gave in and quit putting plates on fat skis.

 

[volklgirl]

I'm just the opposite. Every ski I have has Marker bindings on (except the Karmas which came used with Solly 914). I love my Markers and have never had a prerelease. The metallic gliding AFD has been proven to be the least affected by boot contamination and wear than any other manufacturer's AFD, and the soft step-in feature is really nice in deep snow and crud. Yeah, they're heavy but that's OK for the stuff I do.

Like all else...it's really subjective.

 

[dartmoorskier]

My new Volkl Attiva Arenas have IPT Motion Marker bindings which is an integrated system. However, I bought these at a ski resort (after trying various skis) and they have the men's binding and not the ladies binding. Does this affect the ski performance in any way? Or is it simply just heavier?

 

[altagirl]

My new Volkl Attiva Arenas have IPT Motion Marker bindings which is an integrated system. However, I bought these at a ski resort (after trying various skis) and they have the men's binding and not the ladies binding. Does this affect the ski performance in any way? Or is it simply just heavier?

I've got to tell you, I wasn't even aware there was such a thing.

But on the Marker website the only difference appears to be that the women's version has a titanium heel plate. Which might save a tiny bit of weight, but it doesn't have specs on how much either version weighs, so I don't know how significant that is, if it makes a difference at all. Also the stand height is 2mm lower on the women's version compared to one of the unisex bindings that go to 11, and the same as the other one. I have no idea what the real advantage is supposed to be of the women's specific binding.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[dartmoorskier]

Cheers